Graduation

Graduation Information

Diplomas are NOT awarded automatically. Evaluation of records to verify whether a student has completed the prescribed requirements for graduation is ONLY done upon request by the student through completion and submission of the GRADUATIONAPPLICATION. It must be completed and submitted online by the deadlines for the current semester otherwise your request will be processed the following graduation term.

Application and Status

Any application received after this deadline will be evaluated during the following term. After the application is submitted, they are evaluated by graduation evaluators during the semester they are received. Letters are sent to students who do not meet requirements at the end of the term. Degrees are posted to official transcripts after the end of the term. Students can log onto Campus Connect and view an unofficial transcript for degree posting.

Invitation letters are sent in the spring with instructions regarding the Commencement Ceremony.

GRADUATION FEE

Hill College believes that every student should have the opportunity to participate in graduation following the completion of a program of study. Therefore, the college does not charge a graduation fee.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Hill College holds one commencement ceremony a year in the spring. All students that have graduated the previous summer, fall and current spring are sent letters inviting them to participate in the commencement ceremony. The commencement ceremony is held in Hillsboro in the spring of odd years and Cleburne in the spring of even years. Specific locations and times will be addressed in the invitation letter.

DIPLOMAS

DIPLOMAS WILL BE MAILED TO STUDENTS AFTER COMMENCEMENT. STUDENTS SHOULD RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS WITHIN 8-10 WEEKS AFTER THE END OF THE TERM THE STUDENT HAS APPLIED TO GRADUATE, PENDING THE COMPLETION OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

GRADUATION WITH HONORS

Students who are graduating with an Associate Degree, who have at least 24 semester hours in residence, who have completed at least two semesters at Hill College, and who have a

It is important that any monies owed or any other hold on a student account be resolved in a timely manner. Although unpaid balances or holds will not prohibit a student from participating in commencement, official transcripts and diplomas will NOT be released until all holds are resolved.

REGALIA

Important: Academic regalia is required for all students who participate in the Commencement ceremony. You will not be allowed to march without regalia. Hill College provides one regalia to graduating students without charge. Letters will be sent to inform each graduate of times and days to pick up regalia. Regalia can be picked up in the Enrollment Management Office on the Hillsboro and Cleburne Campuses during the prescribed times and days.

AT THE CEREMONY

Students are requested to arrive to the specific building provided in their invitation letter. Please arrive on time with all regalia. Honor and PTK graduates will be sent letters explaining when and where to pick up honor regalia. Students will be split into 5 groups: Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, Certificate of Technology, Certificate of Completion and Marketable Skills Awards. If you are receiving multiple awards, you will walk with the highest degree earned. Graduates with multiple awards will only walk once with their highest degree. Graduates are given name cards with their degrees on the index cards. Please make sure that your name reads the way that it should be announced. You will line up in degree groupings and march to the ceremony location. Make sure that you keep your card with you at all times. Graduates will hand the card to the Registrar as you walk across the stage. College employees will be available to assist candidates. Graduates will be lead to the event and guided to designated seating. Candidates will be asked to stand as a degree/certificate group. Always follow to the right. Candidates will give their cards to the Registrar, walk across the stage, accept their diploma notice with left hand and shake with the right hand. Candidates will exit the stage and follow College ushers to their seats.

GRADUATES OR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES

Candidates or guest who have a disability-related need requiring assistance for commencement, should contact Noelle Barnes, Director of Academic Advising & Success, at nbarnes@hillcollege.edu or 254-659-7781 or 817-760-5654 to make arrangements. It is the responsibility of graduates to contact Noelle Barnes regarding accommodations for families or guest.

Deadline: Disability services and accommodations request must be provided prior to the week of commencement.

PHOTOGRAPHING COMMENCEMENT

A professional photographer will be available prior to the ceremony for graduates to have pictures taken. Information about purchase packages and prices will be available to students when they pick up regalia or the evening of the ceremony. Families and guest are encouraged to take pictures before, during and after the ceremony. Please be mindful prior to the ceremony of time. We need time to get everyone in place to march into the ceremony. During the ceremony, family and guest are encouraged to take pictures, but please be mindful of other attendees. They are also attending the ceremony to share this important moment with their graduate.

COMMENCEMENT SEATING

Each student will be given 4 guest tickets. Seating is limited and guest should arrive early. Additional tickets (if available) will be in the Enrollment Management Office 1 day prior to the ceremony. Additional tickets are 1st come, 1st serve. Anyone with a ticket will have entry into the ceremony.

Smoking, eating or drinking is NOT allowed at any commencement ceremony locations.

AFTER THE CEREMONY

Graduates are invited to a reception that is hosted by Hill College. We hope that all will attend the reception as this is the best time to contact instructors or staff.

With this ceremony Hill College publicly recognizes the achievements of its students and confers upon them the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a Hill College degree or certificate. We congratulate you on your achievements. If you have additional questions, please direct them to Lisa Branham, Records & Student Success Coordinator, at lbranham@hillcollege.edu or 254-659-7604